These keto croissants are buttery and fluffy - perfect for a relaxed breakfast, brunch or afternoon treat. They are really easy to make and only 3 net carbs per portion.
Want a croissant to enjoy alongside your morning coffee or afternoon tea? Well, this recipe hits the spot.
I am sitting here with a perfectly formed low carb croissant, which I have sliced and spread with butter and sugar free strawberry jam. And as I am sipping my almond milk matcha latte and typing these words, I can't help but think that eating keto is very satisfying indeed.
Let me be very honest here - this keto croissant recipe does not quite taste like traditional French croissants. It is not possible to re-create that flaky pastry texture of classic butter croissants without using wheat or at least wheat gluten.
That said, I am super-happy with how this recipe turned out. I used fathead dough, which is a genius low carb dough that's made with shredded mozzarella.
Fathead dough has a fantastic soft and fluffy texture, and by adding a little yeast and butter there's a lot of croissant flavor going on.
On top of that, my keto crescent rolls look the part and are delightfully easy and quick to make. There's no folding the dough and slowly working in the butter. We're combining the ingredients in one bowl and they are ready for the oven in just 10 minutes.
My teenagers both asked for seconds, by the way. That's always the ultimate seal of approval.
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🌟 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Fluffy texture
- Yeasty, buttery flavor
- Naturally gluten-free
- Sugar free, low carb and keto-friendly
- 3.1 net carbs per croissant
- Only 10 minutes prep, no blender needed
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you'll need:
- Shredded mozzarella cheese - The part skimmed mozzarella is best. I bought pre-grated mozzarella in the supermarket. Or, buy a block and shred it at home.
- Almond flour - My go-to is ground almonds, which is the same as regular almond flour in the US. For super-fine almond flour, reduce the amount by 1 tablespoon.
- Coconut flour - Just a little to improve the flavor.
- Egg - must be large and room temperature. Whisk it before using.
- Cream cheese - Full fat cream cheese helps to make the dough soft.
- Baking powder - Check that it is fresh.
- Sugar substitute - I used powdered Bocha Sweet. Allulose is also a good option.
- Active dry yeast - This is optional, but I added it for that authentic croissant flavor.
Instructions
This section contains step-by-step instructions and photos that show how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Step 1: Melt the mozzarella and cream cheese in a microwave for around 1 minute. Or, heat in a non-stick saucepan over a low heat. The cheese should be melted, but not bubbling.
Step 2: In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients: almond flour, coconut flour, baking powder, powdered sweetener, pinch of salt and dry active yeast, if using.
Step 3: Add the dry to the wet ingredients and add the egg. Start to combine the mixture using a fork, then use your hands to make a ball of smooth dough.
Step 4: Roll out the dough into a rectangle between two sheets of parchment paper using a rolling pin. It should be about Ā¼ inch or 5 mm thick. Lift the top parchment.
Step 5: Cut into 3 rectangles with a knife or pizza cutter, then cut into 6 long triangles.
Re-roll each triangle so it's even and around 19 centimetres long. Then, roll up into a crescent shape. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Option to brush with melted butter.
Step 6: Bake in the oven until golden brown and puffed. Once the croissants are golden, place aluminium paper over them for the remainder of the oven time. This prevents them from burning.
Expert Tips
Keep dough warm. If the dough cools, it can become difficult to work with. Warm it in the microwave for 10 seconds or until it softens.
Oil hands. Fathead dough is sticky. Working with it can be easier if you lightly oil your hands.
Seal to secure. Pinch the tip of the triangle to seal the dough. This prevents the croissant from unrolling during baking.
Fillings
While plain croissants are delicious, sometimes it's fun to go that extra mile and add a filling:
Almond croissant: My keto marzipan makes a great almond paste. Add it onto the wide part of the dough triangle and roll up. Top with flaked almonds before baking and dust with powdered sweetener before serving.
Chocolate croissant: Use sugar free nutella. Brands like Choczero and Lakanto make keto nutella as well. Press the sides of the croissant dough together so it does not leak out during baking.
Recipe FAQs
Not quite, but they taste great! Traditional croissants are made with wheat flour and this one contains mozzarella cheese and almond flour. There is a hint of nuttiness from the almonds, but no cheesy flavor. The texture is soft and fluffy and the taste is buttery and yeasty.
No. Dairy-free cheese does not melt as well as mozzarella and the croissants would not have the same texture.
You can omit the almond flour and use ā cup or 40g coconut flour in total.
Yes. Use 75g or Ā¾ cup super-fine almond flour or 90g ground almonds.
Serving Suggestion
Serve warm on its own or spread with butter. We love to top them with homemade sugar free blueberry jam, sugar free orange marmalade or this sugar free lemon curd.
Of course, you could also fill the croissants with savoury toppings such as Emmental and cooked ham! Or, serve alongside a portion of keto scrambled eggs.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store in and airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Freezer: Keto croissants freeze well for up to 3 months.
Reheating: When fathead dough is cold, it becomes quite firm. Warm the croissants gently in the microwave or reheat them in the oven or air fryer for a few minutes before serving. This makes them soft and fluffy again.
More Baked Treats
Here are more Fathead recipes to try:
- Best Keto Bagels (Fathead Dough Recipe)30 Minutes
- Easy Low Carb Pizza Recipe18 Minutes
- Keto Pretzels35 Minutes
- Keto Cinnamon Rolls (Sugar Free, Low carb)30 Minutes
Tried this recipe? Give it a star rating below!
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Recipe
Keto Croissants
from Sugar Free LondonerNote: The servings slider only changes the first amount in each line and not any subsequent amounts. Please make your own calculations where necessary.
Ingredients
- 1.5 cup mozzarella, shredded 170g / 6oz
- 2 tablespoon cream cheese full fat, 30g
- 1 egg large, whisked, room temperature
- Ā½ cup almond flour ground almonds, 50g, use 1 tablespoon less for super-fine almond flour
- 2 tablespoon coconut flour level, 16g
- 2 tablespoon powdered sweetener I used Bocha Sweet
- 1.5 tsp baking powder
- Ā½ teaspoon dried active yeast optional, for flavour
- 1 tablespoon butter melted, for brushing the tops (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180C / 350F electric or 160C / 320F fan assisted. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Melt the mozzarella and cream cheese in a microwave for around 1 minute. Or, heat in a non-stick saucepan over a low heat. The cheese should be melted, but not bubbling.
- In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients: almond flour, coconut flour, baking powder, powdered sweetener and dry active yeast, if using.
- Add the dry to the wet ingredients and add the egg. Start to combine using a fork, then use your hands to make a ball of smooth dough.
- Roll out the dough into a rectangle between two sheets of parchment paper, about Ā¼ inch or 5 mm thick. Fold over the edges of the parchment to create a straight line. Lift the top parchment.
- Cut into 3 rectangles, then cut into 6 long triangles.
- Re-roll each triangle so it is evenly shaped and around 19 centimetres long. Again, I like to fold the edges of the parchment paper to shape the dough. Then, roll up into a crescent shape. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Option to brush with melted butter.
- Bake in the oven for 20 minutes or until golden and puffed. Once the croissants are golden brown (after 13-14 minutes), loosely place aluminium paper over them for the remainder of the oven time. This prevents them from over-browning.
LB
You can make almond croissants with your sugar free marzipan! Very good.
Katrin NĆ¼rnberger
Glad you like the recipe!
Donna
Just making these and really struggled with size and shape, Any chance you could give idea of length and width of dough when rolled flat before cutting.
Also, got the cut into 3 and then stumped, probably because of the original sizing?
Definitely not as good as yours all different shapes, hoping they might taste ok lol
Thanks
Katrin NĆ¼rnberger
Hi Donna, the triangles I rolled were 19 centmetres long. Bext time I make them, I will measure the rectangle and add the dimensions.
sara
Hello dear,
Thanks for all the amazing recipes. When I make a croissant, the dough sticks to the parchment paper, and also, when I cut up the dough, it softens, and it's hard to work with what should i do?
Katrin NĆ¼rnberger
You can oil the parchment paper. Some parchment brands have a waffle texture which makes dough stick more. Next time, get a smooth one. That way, you won't have any issues. If the dough is too soft, just let it rest a little and it will firm up as it cools.
PK
I made these today. They turned out quite good for my first try. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Viv
Mine didnāt quite look as good as yours but like so many of your recipes theyāre great. Thank you.
Leah
Wow, these are amazing! I was doubtful in the beginning, but I have to say, these croissants are a winner. Planning to make them again for Easter Sunday.
Belinda
I made this as soon as you posted them, and I have to say these croissants are delicious! Your recipes always Work Katrin, thank you so much!
Mari
Thank you for so many wonderful recipes. I read a lot of sites, but yours is one of the few that actually inspired me to get back to baking again. I save most of your recipes, and I am looking forward to making these croissants for Easter. My son, daughter, son-in-law and I started low carb together and the changes have been quick and amazing. My son told me he would happily eat this way forever because the food is so good. I gave you five stars for this recipe, because all of your recipes are five stars! Thanks for helping us all adjust to a new way of eating and living. You are one of the few people who understands what people want to eat.